Incumbent commissioners overcome stiff challenges

Incumbent commissioners had close calls in all three contested races, but were returned to office by relatively comfortable margins when the final votes were tallied.

In District I, Republican Scott Shackleton, a former State Rep., defeated Democrat Clayton McGahey, a former member of the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission, 1,261-1,069. Shackleton, who garnered nearly 54 percent of the vote, is currently chairman of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners.

In District IV, Democrat Ted Postula, a long-time commissioner, survived redistricting and a strong challenge from Republican James Traynor, 1,715-1,376. Postula delivered more than 55 percent of the Tuesday vote.

In District II, Commissioner Don Cooper had his election challenge in the Democratic Primary back in August when he defeated former Sault Ste. Marie City Commissioner Frank King. He received 2,136 votes on Tuesday.

In District III, Democrat Don McLean had clear sailing in both the August primary and Tuesday’s General Election and finished with 2,576 votes.

Of the 24,366 registered voters in Chippewa County, 15,790 cast ballots — providing an election turnout of nearly 65 percent of the registered voters on Tuesday.